Welcome to The Business, a series that focuses on the issues that impact how actors find, do and keep their jobs. Developments in the business of acting are not always front-of-mind for time-pressed creatives, yet can have a major impact on how their careers develop. That’s why we’ve created The Business, a series to help UK actors and performers stay updated on the key stories that will affect the nuts and bolts of their professional lives. This week, the BBC and Arts Council are commissioning hundreds of new short films, audio, and interactive projects, leading drama schools offer three-in-one auditions, and the trend of casting according to social media followers.
BBC and Arts Council to commission 500 projects
The BBC and Arts Council England are partnering to give 500 artists commissions for creative projects across the country. The new talent scheme will develop and produce short films, audio, and interactive works. Called New Creatives, the initiative gives artists aged 16–30 the opportunity to develop technical and creative skills, and to have work commissioned for various BBC platforms. The programme will particularly focus on young artists from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in the arts and broadcasting. Commissioned artists will be encouraged to push creative boundaries, reach new audiences and reflect their experiences of living in Britain today. Deadlines for film and audio are approaching in March. Entry details can be found here.
Actors apparently being cast for Twitter and Instagram followers
It’s becoming commonplace for actors to be asked and judged on how many followers they have on social media, according to those who responded to a tweet from actor Stephen Hoyle last week. The post sparked outrage and numerous reports from fellow actors who had been asked to supply social media handles and figures at castings, including Hayley Tamaddon, currently appearing in the West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Tamaddon reported being asked about followers at a West End casting and been told the lead role needed “a good social media following as it would help sell tickets.” As social media becomes more of a factor in casting, some actors may feel more inclined to focus on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to demonstrate they already have a captive audience. Let us know your thoughts on this growing trend in the comments.
Job share on tour is first of its kind
Parents who want to keep their acting careers going after having children are in good stead thanks to a historical decision in the West End last year: a job share was made possible for new parent Charlene Ford; and it was made again earlier this month when a similar job share was formed for a touring production. Actors Lizzie Wort and Ruth Calkin will share a role in CBeebies show Twirlywoos, a first in a tour and a step welcomed by campaign group Parents and Carers in Performing Arts.
READ: A New Dawn for Parent-Actors
Mayor of London pushes for affordable rehearsal space
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a £6 million trust in an effort to protect and support affordable rehearsal space in the capital. Within five years, the Creative Land Trust hopes to secure 1,000 affordable workspaces for dance, theatre, and other creative practices across the city. Rates for a small-to-medium rehearsal room stand at around £75-£150 per day, with “affordable” variously defined as £70 (The Rag Factory) or less than £100 per day. However, for long-term studio and property rents, research shows that prices and demand is high. Earlier this month Hackney Showroom announced they would be leaving their venue in Hackney Downs due to rising rents. Khan said: “It’s clear we are now reaching a crisis point. We need to stem the loss of the workspace they depend on, and fast.”
READ: Affordable Rehearsal Space Comes Back to London
Leading drama schools join forces to offer reduced-rate auditions
Three top drama schools in London have joined forces to offer prospective students the opportunity to audition for all of them in one day at a reduced rate of £30. Drama Studio London, ALRA (Academy of Live & Recorded Arts), and Italia Conti are working together on the initiative, targeting people living in Newcastle upon Tyne and Doncaster areas the schools say will stand to benefit most from reduced audition rates. The auditions are held at Newcastle College on 30 March and Doncaster Little Theatre on 31 March. Applications are open now.